TPACK

After much introspection and after reading the articles as well as watching the video regarding technological pedagogy and content knowledge (TPACK), I have come to the realization that for 18 years, I have always utilized technology in some form or another. As I was entering education in 1994, my campus was chosen as a pilot school to begin implementation of the teacher laptop initiative, and my administration at the time highly encouraged all teachers to seek professional development to learn technological skills that applied (such as word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and keeping a grade book, but little else.) By 1998, I was one of the frontrunners on my campus to learn how to edit webpages using html editors and to import sound in the form of .wmv files (my webpage played the "X-Files theme song"). The poster above depicts what a student would have found on my teacher webpage. I also integrated the use of webquests by linking topics with working weblinks so that students could do active research rather than relying on antiquated books in our library. To this day, it amazes me how our library has books that are older than the children who read them, and yet, they use this information as scientifically valid information! Science evolves all of the time, it is not a stagnant pool of information.
Because I was eventually forced to shut down my teacher webpage in lieu of the district's own chosen web design, my students have little insight as to the teacher that I am. This is why I have so enjoyed learning about using the blog. I am currently using my blog for my Advanced Science students. They are working on Science projects until December 2, 2011. Since our district has adopted new curriculum standards (in the form of C-Scope) and the program allows for little to no deviation, I am working with my students online. I found out during class time that my students all have computers and access to the internet, so I gave them the link to my teacher website and my blog. Junior Knights Science. Students are able to use the information on the blog to find out about upcoming deadlines, they are able to download documents that they need for their project, and when necessary, links for videos used in class will be added so that students who are absent may still participate and not fall behind.
I am also using the blog to see what students think. They are able to post to me so that I know if there are problems. I respond as soon as a I receive a message. The blog has become a critical part of the class' responsibilities, but they appear to be enjoying the integration because it allows me to teach them other topics that might not otherwise be covered in class. For instance, through the Autumnal Equinox link, students could find out about what one is, and know when it occurred. This topic was barely touched upon in class.